Kinigi, Rwanda—Thousands gathered at the foothills of the Volcanoes National Park on Friday, 4 September 2026, for the 21st Kwita Izina Gorilla Naming Ceremony, a celebration of life, conservation, and community that has become one of Rwanda’s most cherished traditions. The event, held under the theme “Conservation is Life: Sustaining the Future,” saw 22 baby mountain gorillas given names by a distinguished group of global leaders, philanthropists, and cultural icons.
A Tradition Rooted in Rwandan Culture
Kwita Izina, meaning “to give a name” in Kinyarwanda, is inspired by the centuries-old Rwandan tradition of naming newborn children in the presence of family and community. Since becoming an official annual event in 2005, the ceremony has grown into an international platform celebrating Rwanda’s conservation achievements and recognizing the important role of communities and partners in protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat.
“A name for us is more than a celebration. It is a promise—and the promise we make to these gorillas is that they will have the protection, the habitat, and the conditions they need to grow, to thrive, and to reproduce.” – Right Honourable Dr. Édouard Ngirente, Prime Minister of Rwanda
22 New Names, 22 New Stories
Over the first 20 editions of Kwita Izina, 438 gorillas were named. With the 22 named today, the cumulative total of named gorillas now stands at 460. Each name carries profound meaning, reflecting the values of conservation, community, and hope.
| Namer | Gorilla Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Shaikha Al Nuwais | Ishak | Determination – “The small drum that sets the rhythm for all others” |
| Dominic Barton | Mukondo | Starting point, the source |
| Paul & Christina Danforth | Shikama | Stand strong |
| Miguel Ángel Gil Marín | Ingera | Traditional celebration |
| Eng. Ahmed Sadek Elsewidy & Anita Dravec | Ruga | Strong fighter |
| Olivier Granet & Quitterie Granet | Mucho | Light |
| Garreth & Nicola Wood | Ingabonzeima | The protector |
| James Chester | Unongoi | Outstanding leader |
| Susan Hollern | Kamar | Welcoming visitors |
| Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo | Wukaka | Majesty, strength, and power |
| Francesco Calvo | Goga | Brave |
| David Lappartient | Mwiza | The one who brings together and connects |
| Dominique Plewes & Steven Kura | Komeza Utsinde | Keep winning. |
| Alastair Fothergill | Mabinge | On top |
| Mutaz Essa Barshim | Tugane | Socialize, come together. |
| Israel Mbonyi | Uruhimbi | People fighting for a common goal |
| Kelly O’Meara | Aino | Destiny |
| Neil & Susan McDougall | Ruhara | At the forefront |
| Jeanette Uwimbabazi | Kwihaza | Commitment |
| Mamadou Sakho | Mushobora | Capable, powerful |
| Patrice Evra | Muganura | Testimony of harvest and thanksgiving |
| Kenza Johanna Ameloot | Noakuzi | Brave person |
A Global Gathering of Conservation Champions
This year’s Namers brought together an extraordinary cross-section of global leadership:
- Shaikha Al Nuwais – Incoming Secretary-General of UN Tourism, first woman to lead the organization in its 50-year history
- Patrice Evra – Former France and Manchester United captain, five-time Premier League champion
- David Lappartient – President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), instrumental in bringing the 2025 UCI Road World Championships to Rwanda
- Alastair Fothergill – Award-winning filmmaker behind Planet Earth and Blue Planet
- Mutaz Essa Barshim – Qatari Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion high jumper
- Israel Mbonyi – Celebrated Rwandan gospel singer and songwriter
- Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo – Acclaimed Rwandan filmmaker whose film Ben’Imana was selected for the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
Conservation Success: A Story of Recovery
In the early 1980s, there were only about 250 mountain gorillas left in the Virunga Massif. Poaching, habitat loss, and social conflict had pushed the species towards extinction. Today, there are more than 1,060 mountain gorillas in the wild across the Virunga Massif and Bwindi ecosystem, making them the only great ape whose population continues to grow.
“This remarkable recovery did not happen by chance. It was built through the persistence of rangers who walk these mountains daily, the expertise of veterinarians and researchers, strong conservation policy, responsible tourism, and above all the recognition that no single actor could do this job alone.” – Prime Minister Dr. Édouard Ngirente
Tourism: A Driver of Community Development
Rwanda’s tourism industry continues to record strong growth. In 2025, the sector generated **$685 million** in revenues, up from $647 million in 2024, driven by more than 1.49 million international visitors.
Through the Tourism Revenue Sharing Programme, 10 percent of national park tourism revenues are reinvested in communities surrounding protected areas. To date, more than RWF 23 billion has supported nearly 1,300 community projects, including:
- Schools
- Health centers
- Water infrastructure
- Livelihood initiatives
Looking Ahead: Expanding Conservation and Community Resilience
This year’s celebrations included the groundbreaking of the Smart Green Village in Kinigi, part of the wider Volcanoes Community Resilience Project. The $49 million investment will provide 547 households affected by the expansion of Volcanoes National Park with modern housing, essential services, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Rwanda’s long-term vision includes:
- Expanding Volcanoes National Park by approximately 3,740 hectares
- Establishing approximately 6,620 hectares of buffer zones
- Improving livelihoods for more than 17,000 people
A Promise for the Future
“We have promised to protect, to nurture and sustain them. It is up to all of us—governments, communities, conservationists, businesses, and international partners—to keep that promise. For as long as we continue to choose to care and to act together, I am confident that we will fulfill this promise.” – Prime Minister Dr. Édouard Ngirente
🌍 Earth Focus Network: Supporting Conservation in Rwanda
At Earth Focus Network, we believe that conservation is a collective movement. The success of Rwanda’s mountain gorilla conservation demonstrates what is possible when communities, governments, and partners work together.
Through our partnership with Here For Hope Foundation, we are committed to planting 10,000,000 trees in Rwanda by 2030 to restore degraded land, combat climate change, and support biodiversity conservation.
Join Our Mission
- 🌱 Support tree planting – Help us restore Rwanda’s landscapes
- 🤝 Connect with like-minded conservationists and changemakers
- 📢 Share your conservation work with a global audience
🌐 Visit us: www.earthfocusnetwork.com
📧 Email us: Info@earthfocusnetwork.com
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Your contribution helps us plant trees, restore degraded land, and support conservation efforts in Rwanda.
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